CORUNNA, Mich — Elected officials in a Michigan county gave themselves bonuses with federal relief money related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The money, described as “hazard pay,” included $25,000 for Jeremy Root, chairman of the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners. Shiawassee is a mostly rural county between Lansing and Flint, with a population of 68,000. Commissioners — all Republicans — voted last week to award money to county employees.
It ranges from $25,000 for administrators to $2,000 for cleaning staff. All workers got at least $1,000.
Commissioner Marlene Webster said she was “mortified” when $5,000 appeared in her bank account. She said she didn’t know she voted to reward herself and plans to return the money.
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